Story byPhoto by Visual China Group via Getty ImagesJames ShearmanThu, February 19, 2026 at 5:45 PM UTC·2 min readHaotong Li has revealed what NBA legend Yao Ming is really like on the golf course. The 30-year-old is the only Chinese golfer on the PGA Tour, so he is a huge inspiration to many of his countrymen. His unique position also means that he receives invites to occasions like Ming’s charity golf day. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHaving played together, Li can now share how Ming’s golf game compares to his legendary basketball career. Haotong Li comments on Yao Ming’s golf gameYao Ming is probably the most high-profile Chinese athlete in American sports history, with eight NBA All-Star appearances. So, many fans will be interested to know whether he is also a good golfer, like many past and present NBA stars are. Photo by Visual China Group via /Visual China Group via Getty ImagesWell, unfortunately, Li did not hold back in his honest assessment of Ming’s struggles on the golf course.“Oh my. Can I go -10? Dude, that swing weight was so heavy and so long, it doesn’t make any sense,” Li told Smylie Kaufman in a hilarious interview. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Actually, the other Chinese basketball player, called Yi Jianlian, who used to play for the Nets, is a lot better golfer.“Actually, Yao Ming told me in one pro-am that he absolutely hates this game.